Electric can opener



Oct. 26, 1954 R. w. NEWSOM ETAL 2,692,426

ELECTRIC CAN OPENER Filed Oct. 1.4, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Raymond W Newsom Sherman A. Mewsom INVENTORJ' zmaoiizn. BY W Oct. 26, 1954 R. w. NEWSOM EI'AL ELECTRIC CAN OPENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 14, 1953 36 Fig. 5

Raymund WA/ewsom Sherman A. Newso INVENTOR Patented Oct. 26, 1954 idhlil" FATE? FFEE ELECTRIG CAN OPENER Raymond W. Newsom and Sherman A. Newsom, Alpine, Tex.

8 Claims.

This invention relates in general to improvements in can openers, and more specifically to an electric can opener.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved can opener which is automatic in operation and which is operated in response to the positioning of a can relative to the can opening mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved can opener of the punch type, the can opener including a driven punch which is automatically actuated in response to the positioning of a can beneath such punch.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved can opener which includes a punchtype can opening device, the can opening device being driven by drive means which are automatically actuated and which are so designed whereby they are one complete cycle.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drav ings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the can open.- ing device which is the subject of this invention and shows the same ready for the reception of a can to be opened;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal transverse sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 2--2 of Figure 1 and shows the general cross-section of the interior of the can opening device;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View taken through the can opener of Figure l and shows the same near th end of a can opening cycle, selected positions of the can opener being shown in dotted lines;

Figure 4 is a transverse horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-4 of Figure 1 and shows the echanism of the can opener as viewed from the top; and

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram of the electrical control means for the can opener.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the electric can opener which is the subject of this invention includes an elongated base i0. Extending upwardly from the base it) at the rear end thereof is a U-shaped mounting bracket which includes a lower horizontal web l2 and upstanding flanges M and it.

Carried by the base, which is L-shaped in plan View, as is best illustrated in Figure 4, adjacent the forward end thereof is an L-shaped support which includes a transversely extending leg I8 and a longitudinally extending leg 28, the longitudinally extending leg 2i? being disposed adjacent the center of the base it.

Removably secured to the transverse leg 18 and extending upwardly from the base It is a front portion 22 of an enlarged housing which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 2 The housing 2 also includes an L-shaped rear portion 26 which is suitably secured to both the front portion 22 and the U-shaped support by fasteners 28 and 353, respectively.

As is best illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, the U- shaped support is disposed at one side of the rear portion of the base ill and is aligned with the L shaped support. Disposed in offset relation to the two supports is a motor mounting block 32 which is carried by the base i Q. Suitably secured to the motor mounting block 32 by fasteners id is an electric motor 36 which includes an armature shaft Secured to the armature shaft 38 by a coupling 29 is a shaft 312. The shaft i2 is journaled in the flange i i and has removably secured thereto a first gear i l. The gear id is in the form of a pinion gear and is spaced from the flange it towards the flange ii The gear dd engaged with a relatively large gear it which is rotatably journaled on a shaft carried by the flange it.

Connected to the gear 36 for rotation therewith is a pinion gear 56. The pinion gear disposed towards the flange l5 and is intcrineshed with a relatively large gear 52. The gear 52 is rotatably journaled on shaft 54 carried by the flange i i and is spaced therefrom by a spacer 56. Secured to the gear 52 for rotation therewith is a cam wheel 58 which has carried thereby in eccentrically disposed relation a cam roller (it, the cam roller 69 being rotatably mounted on a pin 62 carried by the cam Wheel 58.

As is best illustrated in Figure 3, the front portion 22 of the housing 2 is provided with a rectangular opening in the upper part of the front wall thereof, the opening being referred to by the reference numeral 64 and being aligned with a similar rectangular opening in the transverse leg 58. Extending transversely of the opening 65 and carried by the transverse leg i8 is a pivot pin 68. Pivotally mounted on the pivot pin 88 is an elongated lever which has carried at its forward end a punch which forms a can opener 32.

It will be noted that the lever 76 is of a length so as to overlie the cam roller in all positions thereof. In order that the lever it] may be retained in engagement with the cam roller 60 at all times, there is connected to the lever I intermediate its ends a spring I4 Whose opposite end is connected to an intermediate part of the longitudinal leg 20'. The spring 14 urges the rear portion of the lever Ifi downwardly about the pivot pin 68.

As is best illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 the base In extends forwardly of the housing 24; Overlying the base In adjacent its forward edge is a can positioning block I6. The can positioning block I6 is provided with an arcuate recess I8 in which is adapted to be received the bottom of a can. In order to further facilitate the positioning of a can, such as the can 80 illustrated in Figure 3, the front wall of the front portion 22 of the housing is provided with a block 82 to prevent rearward tipping of the can 80 when engaged by the can opener 12.

In operation, when the electric motor 36 is energized the various gears are rotated to cause rotation of the cam wheel 58. Rotation of the cam wheel 58 causes the cam roller 'II] to move from the solid line position of Figure 3 to the dotted line position. This causes the pivoting of the lever I9 from the solid line position to the dotted line position with the result that the can opener I2 is urged downwardly into the top wall of the can 80 and punches an opening therein as desired.

In order that operation of the electric motor 3% may be controlled, there is carried by the longitudinal leg 20 intermediate its upper and lower ends a switch 84. The switch 8 5 is provided with a control lever 86 which is normally retained in a circuit opening position by a coil spring 88 se cured to the transverse leg I8.

In order to facilitate automatic operation of the switch 84, there is provided an actuator which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 96. The actuator to includes a horizontal arm 92 which extends through aligned openings M and 96 in the front wall of the forward portion 22 and the transverse leg I8, respectively. The horizontal leg 92 is provided at its forward end with a roller 98 which is engaged by a can 80 properly positioned on the base It and moved rearwardly. The horizontal leg 92 is provided at its upper surface with a notch I69 in which the lower end of the control lever 88 of the switch 8 6 is normally positioned, as is illustrated by the dotted line position of the actuator 90 in Figure 3.

The actuator Qt also includes a vertical arm I82 which is formed integrally with the rear end of the horizontal arm 92. The upper end of the vertical arm I02 is rounded as at I84 and there is connected to the vertical arm I02 adjacent its upper end one end of a spring I06. The opposite end of the spring N36 is connected to a rear edge of the longitudinal leg 26. It will be seen that the spring I66 urges the actuator 99 forwardly to the dotted line position illustrated in Figure 3.

When a can 80 is properly positioned on the base It, the positioning thereof results in the rearward movement of the actuator 9!) from the dotted line position illustrated in Figure 3. Thisresults in the control lever 36 of the switch 84 being moved from its dotted line position and the completion of an electrical circuit to the electric motor 36. The drive mechanism of the can opener then operates in the above mentioned manner with the result that the cam roller 60 is moved relative to the shaft 54 about which it rotates in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 and engages This moves the actuator downwardly to the solid line position of Figure 3 and releases the control lever 86. The spring 88 then returns the control lever 86 to its initial position and electric current to the electric motor 36 is cut off with the result that the various gears have a tendency to stop rotating.

In order to insure the stopping of the various gears at the end of a complete cycle, there is provided a brake assembly which is referred to in general by the reference numeral H8. The brake assembly IIE! includes a brake drum H2 carried by the shaft 42 adjacent the flange I4. Selectively engaging the brake drum H2 is a brake arm I I4 which has one end thereof pivotally connected to a mounting bracket IIG carried by the web I2. The other end of the brake arm H4 is pivotally connected to a plunger I I8 of an electro-magnetic device I20. The electromagnetic" device I26 is secured in place by a mounting bracket I22 carried by the web H2 adjacent its rear edge.

Actuation of the electromagnetic device I20 is controlled by a switch which is referred to in general by the reference numeral iZ -l. The switch I213 includes a pair of spring arms IN and IE8 which have carried thereby opposed contacts I 30 and I32. The contacts I38 and I32 are normally spaced apart so as to not permit actuation of the electromagnetic device I28. However, when the actuator Flt is moved downwardly by the cam roller Gil to the solid line position of Figure 3, a projecting element 334 carried by the underside of the horizontal arm 92 engages the spring strip I28 which causes the closing of contacts I30 and I32 to energize the electromagnetic device iii] iereby causing the actuation of the brake arm H4 and stopping of the rotation of the various gears. The electromagnetic device lilil is deenergized by the continued movement of the cam roller 60 past the actuator 99 which then moves upwardly due to the urgence of the spring I95 thereby opening the contacts I39 and I32; The actuator 933 is returned to its initial position upon removal of the can 86.

It will be understood that the switch S t and the switch I24 are connected into an electrical circuit which includes a pair. of lead-in wires I40 and M2. The lead-in wires hill and H32 may be connected to any convenient electrical source through the use of conventional electrical connections.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation ofthe device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary; However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An automatic can opener comprising a can support, a can opening device carried by said support, drive means for said can opening device in cluding a motor, a can operated switch for said motor, brake means for automatically stopping said drive means at the end of a can opening cycle.

2. An automatic can opener comprising a can support, a can opening device carried by said support, drive means for said can opening device including a motor, a can operated switch for said motor, brake means for automatically stopping said drive means at the end of a; can opening cycle, said can opening device being of the can punching type and being carried by a pivoted lever.

3. An automatic can opener comprising a can support, a can opening device carried by said support, drive means for said can opening device including a motor, a can operated switch for said motor, brake means for automatically stopping said drive means at the end of a can opening cycle, said brake means being actuated by said drive means.

4. An automatic can opener comprising a can support, a can opening device carried by said support, drive means for said can opening device including a motor, a can operated switch for said motor, brake means for automatically stopping said drive means at the end of a can opening cycle, said brake means being atcuated by said drive means, an actuating arm for said switch, said brake means being actuated by said actuating arm.

5. An automatic can opener comprising a can support, a can opening device carried by said support, drive means for said can opening device including a motor a can operated switch for said motor, brake means for automatically stopping said drive means at the end of a can opening cycle, said can opening device including a pivoted lever, said drive means including a cam engaging said lever to actuate said can opening device.

6. An automatic can opener comprising a can support, a can opening device carried by said support, drive means for said can opening device including a motor, a can operated switch for said motor, brake means for automatically stopping said drive means at the end of a can opening cycle, said can opening device including a pivoted lever, said drive means including a cam engaging said lever to actuate said can opening device, said brake means being actuated by said cam.

7. An automatic can opener comprising a can support, a can opening device carried by said support, drive means for said can opening device including a motor, a can operated switch for said motor, brake means for automatically stopping said drive means at the end of a can opening cycle, said can opening device including a pivoted lever, said drive means including a cam engaging said lever to actuate said can opening device, an actuating arm for said switch, said brake means being actuated by said cam.

8. An automatic can opener comprising a can support, a can opening device carried by said support, drive means for said can opening device including a motor, a can operated switch for said motor, brake means for automatically stopping said drive means at the end of a can opening cycle, said brake means including an electromagnetically actuated plunger, a second switch controlling said plunger, an actuating arm for controlling operation of said can actuated switch and said second switch.

No references cited. 

